Ok, 1999 Durango 5.2 4x4 with rear air.

Starter solenoid causing grinding every 4th or so start.
Front blower motor stopped working and I read somewhere that tapping the fan motor housing might fix....it worked for a while.

Now my blower works every now and then if I turn the ignition switch off and on a few times.
This morning I turned off the car with the A/C blowing and the blower stayed on even with the key out.

I'm thinking the ignition switch is my problem after all.

Any ideas before I run out and pick one up?
Thanks!

 

i would check for a short and bad grounds, it also sounds like something is up with your starter, it shouldnt be grinding

 

You need to open a new thread for each question but,

1. The starter has a electro magnetic solenoid that engages the drive gear into the fly wheel teeth and that meshes with the fly wheel. When these ware out the don't engage fully (seat) and when the torque is applied it jumps back. This is the grinding noise you hear. Bad part is every time you engage the starter and it does this it can grind a little of the gear off. Now I am talking about both the starter side and the flywheel tooth ring. If you do this too much you will ruin the fly wheel and you have to pull the motor to replace it. If your starter/Solenoid is doing this then you should replace it or fix it.

As for the blower, check the relay for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxjPpytfnv0

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thanks.
Ya I thought about starting two separate threads but as I thought the problems "might" both be related to one issue, the ignition switch, I decided to included them together.

I took the battery to Autozone and it tested bad. $90.00 later the A/C worked great! for 1 day..... REALLY WEIRD. But as we know, the battery and Durango relationship is weird anyway.
So now I'm back at square one with the A/C and will look into replacing the starter before things get any worse.

Usually when you turn the ignition key to start, the A/C blower stops for a second until you let off the key (presumably to give the starter full power)
This is why I thought the ignition switch "could" be the issue because the blower works when you turn the key on but stops now after the truck starts. Occasionally staying on after you stop the engine and remove the key.
The fact that the starter is also in that loop, it was understandable that perhaps they were related. Most likely not, but again, we are talking about a car that doesn't even like to run with a weak battery.
Anyway, the weather here in Arizona is finally turning for the better and I'll be able to put more diagnosis time into her and figure it out.
thanks again!

 

Well, replace it and have it keyed to your OEM tumbler. In fact I think you can just replace certin parts in it.

 

Ya, I wouldn't be replacing the tumblers at all, just the switch.
Picture of switch

 

It was indeed the relay. I could pull it half out and it would work..go figure.
Anyway replaced it and all is good with the A/C now.
thanks.

 

Nice!


Glad to hear we could help ya!

 

just bought a 99 durango 4x4 with a 5.2. when its cold outside, blower motor and door locks wont work. when it warms up outside, they start working. also, when blower and locks are non working, lights on heat/fan control light up without actual lights being on, but once lights are turned on, the lights on the control turn off. everything else works great tho. I NEED HELP!!!